Switch control mechanism



Juli:31,1945. T. M. BALL I 5 8 5 SWITCH CONTROL MECHANISM- Original Filed Au 24, 1940 INVENTOR I BY Patented July 31, 1945 2,380,493 swrron ooN'mor. MECHANISM Thomas M. Ball; Detroit, Mich, asslgnor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich, a

corporation oi Delaware Original application August 24, 1940, Serial No. 354,055. Divided and this application August 7, 1941. Serial No. 405,766

13 Claims.

This invention relates to switch control mechanisms and refers more particularly to switch mechanism adapted for control by engine intake pressure variation, this application being a division of my copending application Serial No. 354,055 filed August 24, 1940.

One object of my invention is to provide an electrical switch controlled in an improved and simplified manner in response to predetermined speed of an engine or equivalent motor vehicle speed in a predetermined drive ratio.

Another object is to provide an improved and simplified governor effect for switch mechanism by utilizing engine intake pressure variation.

A further object is to provide a novel governor eilect, as aforesaid, which will function at predetermined amount or position oi engine throttle opening under control of engine intake pressure so arranged as to function independently of the load on the engine.

Another object is to provide an improved switch control in which the electric circuit is controlled by a single switch which is adapted t? be overruled by the engine intake pressure. The single switch mechanism is adapted for operation by the engine throttle actuating mechanism, or other control, and is under control of the intake pressure so that the latter will render the single switch mechanism either effective or ineffective to control the circuit means by operation of the engine throttle actuating mechanism or other control which may be employed.

Further objects and advantages of my inven tion will be more apparent as this specification progresses, reference being had to the accoinpanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational somewhat diagramrnatic view of a motor vehicle power plant illus trating my invention applied thereto.

Fig, 2h. an enlarged somewhat diagrammatic view of my switch control mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a. modified arrangement of operating linkage.

Fig. t is a view generally similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified arrangement of switch control mechanism.

While my invention may be employed in conjunction with various types and arrangements of mechanisms and devices, I have illustrated the principles my invention in connection. with a motor vehicle a portion of which is shown in 1 having the internal combustion engine A driving vehicle through any suitable drive transmitting speed ratio changing mecha-- nism in casings l3 and C.

I have illustrated my switch control mechanism for functioning in conjunction with the throttle control mechanism of the engine. By preference the arrangement is such that the accelerator pedal in moving to a predetermined position in its throttle-opening direction exercises a controlling effect on the switch mechanism, as when the accelerator pedal is brought to its fully depressed condition corresponding to approximately fully open position of the throttle valve. The gain in power delivered by the engine during the last part of the throttle opening movement is so slight that ordinarily this range may be utilised for the switch control without sacrificing car performance where it is desired to effect the switch control under conditions of maximum throttle opening. However, as it may be desired to provide a distinct switch control range for the accelerator pedal, in addition to its normal throttle-moving range, I have made provision so that my invention is equally well adapted to either arrangement and may even, if desired, be ar ranged for switch control at any accelerator pedal or throttle position less than that aforesaid.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 the accelerator pedal to is yieldingly urged in its throttle closing position of release by a spring i I. The pedal is operably connected by linkage l2 with the lever i fixed to shaft ll which carries the throttle valve l5 positioned in manifold down-draft riser it between the carburetor it and manifold distributing branches I6 leading to the various cylinders of the engine. At the top air inlet end of the riser is the usual air cleaner as. That part of the intake system which extends above valve iii he referred to as the Slitlllllltl pheric side of "the throttle valve while the helow the valve extending to the engine may he referred to as the engine side or the throttle valve. the pedal to is fully depressed position it then the throttle is fully open as E5. in Fig. 2 the arrangement is such that last few degrees of throttle opening is utilized operate the switch means, this movement corre sponding to depression of the accelerator pedal from position it to position it.

The control compr ses a piston to of non conducting material and is formed with a lower lug fell which, prior to vacuum operation of piston urges a swinging spring conductor 22? portion of a switch E downwardhr against the upper lace of the fixed non-ccnducting material 23. The conductor 22 is carried by a plunger it and is yieldingly moved to the Fig. 2 position by spring 25. Fixed to the throttle shaft 845 is a lever 29 having an actuating end portion 21 arran all engage the rear end of plunger 24 when the accelerator pedal on throttle opening movement reaches the position I9. When the accelerator pedal is further depressed to position l9, plunger 2 and conductor 22 slide to the left, by the action of lever end 21, until at the end oi. the pedal stroke the conductor end 28 contacts with conductor terminal 29, comprising the other portion of the switch E.

Associated with the switch E is any suitable electrical circuit system desired to be controlled by the switch under predetermined desired con ditions of throttle opening and car or engine speed. I have illustrated a portion of this electrical circuit at D comprising ground 39 thence through conductor 22 and end 28 to terminal 29 and conductor lead 3| to any desired electrical control to complete the circuit. The switch E is under control of the intake system of the engine according to predetermined desired conditions engine and car speed.

The piston 29 is slidable upwardly from its Fig. 2 position in cylinder 32 against the action of spring 39 as vacuum increases in the intake system at the atmospheric side of the throttle valve.

In order to magnify the effect of the vacuum in riser i9 and minimize the size of piston 29, while at the same time utilizing structure already used conventionally, and for other practical considerations, I utilize the conventional carburetor venturi 34 in down draft riser 49, the cylinder 22 being open by a passage 95 to the throat of the venturi.

Cylinder 32 thus communicates with the engine intake system at a point between throttle valve II and the atmosphere rather than between the throttle valve I and the engine A so that, for a given throttle opening, the same weight oi air will always flow through the carburetor venturi at a given speed of the engine or car in any given drive ratio, regardless of load and other factors. Cylinder 22 is thus open to the suction in the intake riser at a point anterior to the throttle valve I! rather than at a point posterior to the throttle valve. For simplicity oi disclosure I have not illustrated the gasoline supply jet at the carburetor Venturi throat as the same is well known. Such arrangement provides a governor control on the system D at switch E oi great accuracy and simplicity of operation.

In the illustrated arrangement, the driver endeavors to control circuit D by closing switch E always by manipulating the throttle valve l5 to the same position, approximately wide open throttle iii this instance, because at such time the switch E will be closed it piston 20 is in its Fig. 2 lowered position. Thus whether or not the circuit D will be'closed between lead 3| and ground 29, when'the accelerator pedal I0 is fully depressed, will depend entirely on the engine or car speed at such time. If the speed is above the desired predetermined value, determined largely by the weight of piston 20 along with the force of springs 92 and 22 and diameter 0! cylinder 82, then the vacuum at the venturi raises piston 20 and conductor 22 flexes or springs upwardly out of contact with material 29 and cannot complete the circuit at terminal 29 although plunger 24 is free to reciprocate under action of the accelerator pedal and spring 25. Ii, while piston 29 is raised and pedal i0 is Iully depressed, the engine speed fall to the point where piston 29 is lowered by spring 22, then the conductor part 22 contacts with terminal 29 and thereupon establishes the circuit D. The conductor 22 therefore constitutes a switch at E in that it controls the circuit '0.

My arrangement is such that the switch points at 28 and 29 are free from thrust load imposed from the accelerator pedal at lever end 21 because the end of spring member 22 does not thrust against any electrical contact in the direction of movement of member 22 by lever and 21.

In the Fig. 3 modification, the switch E is not closed when the throttle valve on opening reaches wide open position but in response to movement of the accelerator pedal i9 beyond its Wide open throttle position l9 through a secondary range of movement to position ill at which time the lever end portion 21 of a leverZi has been moved to the left of its Fig. 3 position sufllciently to cause plunger 24 to close switch E. The pedal 19 is now connected through linkage I2 to the bell-crank lever arm 31 loose on the valve shaft 14, lever 39 being the other arm of the bell-crank. Fixed to shaft H is a lever 38 having a projection 39 urged into continuous contact with lever 91 by a spring 49 acting between levers 31 and 3|. A stop 4i engages lever 38 at fully open throttle.

When pedal i0 is depressed to position Ill the throttle valve l5 will be fully open, as at IS in Fig. 2, the spring 40 causing lever 38 to follow the movement of lever 31 and pedal l0. At this time the lever end 21 is in its Fig. 3 position ready to operate plunger 24 to the left. As pedal [0 is further depressed to the overtravel position 19'', stop 4| holds lever 38 at wide open throttle position while spring 40 yields to allow lever 29 to close switch E unless, just as in Fig. 2, piston 20 is raised to allow spring conductor 22 to hex out of the path to engage terminal 29. The Fig. 3 switch control system operates exactly as described Ior Fig. 2 except, of course, for the overtravel iunction of the accelerator pedal as noted above.

My invention is also adapted to control electrical systems wherein the electrical circuit is normally established and adapted to be opened by the throttle opening means under control 01' the vacuum intake system. In order to illustrate this general arrangement, I have shown in Fig. 4 an arrangement which corresponds generally to the foregoing embodiments but which operates with normally closed switch means instead of normally open switch means. Thus in Fig. 4, the swingingspring conductor 22' now has its left end, forming a part of switch E, in engagement with an angle shaped conductor surface or switch terminal 29 so arranged that when plunger 20 is down then the circut at D is established and will remain established even though vacuum should raise the piston and the spring conductor 22' thereby flex upwardly as indicated in the drawing. Lever end 21, when operated to move conductor 22' to the left, will open the circuit if the piston 20 is down. However, if the piston is raised to allow the conductor 22 to spring upwardly, the circuit will remain closed even though the lever end 21 is operated to the left.

In Figs. 2 to 4 it will be noted that whenever the driver seeks to change the normal condition of switch E or E, by closing the same in Figs. 2 and 3 and by opening the same in Fig. 4, the throttle valve l5 in each instance is at a p d termined position so that the vacuum de in eiIect, then operate as a fixed functigine speed and hence car speed in any mined drive ratio. I! desired, the normal tion of the switch E or E may be changed at less than approximate wide open throttle. Furthermore, by substituting different piston springs for the vacuum operated pistons the illustrated devices may be caused to respond to any desired engine or car speed.

In my specification and claims I use the term venturi in a broad sense. This device, as well known, increases the velocity and reduces the pressure of the fluid at the Venturi throat. The venturi may be of any suitable design to obtain the desired pressure magnifying efiect. Ordinarily a commercial carburetor venturi is formed with frusto-conical portions at each side of the throat as illustrated. The various conductor parts throughout the several views will, of course, be suitably electrically insulated against undesired grounding or interfering with the desired electrical control systems.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the pressure variation at the venturi operates to overrule the effect of the throttle adjusting means in controlling opening and closing of the electrical circuit means at the switch E or E. In other words the venturi control renders the switch E or E either effective or ineffective to control opening and closing of the circuit means, i

I claim:

1. In a switch control mechanism, electric circuit means comprising a switch having a spring conductor adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said conductor is adapted for movement for switchopening and switch-closing functions, means for moving said conductor as aforesaid, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, and means responsive to pressure variation in said intake system at a point anterior to said throttle valve for controlling flexing of said conduct-or such that flexing of said conductor from its said one position to the other will be automatically effected, during operation of aid engine under its own power, as a function of engine speed higher than the engine idling speed.

2. In a switch control mechanism; a switch comprising a relatively stationarily mounted eon ductor switch member, and a conductor spring switch member adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said condoctor is adapted for movement relative to said stationary switch member into locations of engaging and disengaging relationship with respect to said stationary switch member to respectively provide closing and opening of said switch; operating means for displacing said spring conductor member between said locations; a piston adapted for movement from a first position of maintaining said spring switch member flexed in its said one position to asecond piston position accommodating flexing of said spring switch member out of engageable relationship with respect to said stationary switch member when said spring switch member is displaced by said operat ing means; an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine; means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for moving said piston from its said first position to its said second position; and means for biasing said piston to its said first positionand operating to hold said piston in its said first position whenever the engine is idling.

locations of engaging and disengaging relation ship with respect to said. stationary switch member to respectively provide closing and opening of said switch; operating means for displacing said spring conductor member between said locations; a piston adapted for movement from a first position of maintaining said spring switch member flexed in its said one position to a secone! piston position accommodating flexing of said s ring switch member into its other posi tion of constant engagement with said stationary switch member when said spring switch member is displaced by said operating means; an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmospher to the engine; means utilizing pres sure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for moving said piston from its said first position to its said second position; and means for biasing said piston t its said first position and operating to hold said piston in its said first position whenever the engine is idling.

4.111 a switch control mechanism, electric circuit means comprising a switch having a spring conductor adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said conductor is adapted for movement for switchopening and switch-closing functions, means for moving said conductor as aforesaid, an engine having an induction system provided with a throttle valve and a carburetor venturi disposed anterior to said throttle valve, and means responsive to pressure variation at said venturi for so controlling flexing of said conductor that flexing of said conductor from its said one position to the other is automatically effected, during normal operation of said engine, in response to predetermined. throttle opening and engine greater than idling speed.

5. In a switch control mechanism. electric circuit means comprising a switch having a conductor adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said conductor is adapted for movement for switchoponing and switch-closing functions, means for moving said conductor as aforesaid. engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for con-- trolling flexing of said conductor from time to time during normal operation of said engine.

6. In a switch control mechanism, electric circuit means comprising a switch having a spring conductor adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said condoctor is adapted for movement for switchopening and switch-olos ng functions, an engine b wing intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from atmosphere to the engi. .e. means for adjusting said throttle valve, means for moving sain conductor aforesaid by said throttle valve adjusting means, and. means util sing pressure variation in said intake system at'the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for so controlling flexing of said conductor that flexing of said conductor from its said one position to the other is automatically effected, during normal operation of said engine, in response to predetermined throttle opening and engine speed greater than idlig speed.

'7. In a switch control mechanism; a switch comprising a relatively stationarily mounted conductor switch member, and a conductor spring switch member adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said conductor is adapted for movement relative to said stationary switch member into locations of engaging and disengaging relationship with respect to said stationary switch member to respectively provide closing and opening of said switch; operating means for displacing said spring conductor member between said locations; a piston adapted for move-- ment from a first position of maintaining said spring switch member flexed in its said one position to a second piston position accommodating flexing of said spring switch member out of engageable relationship with respect to said stationary switch member when said spring switch member is displaced by said operating means; an engine having an induction system provided with a throttle valve and a carburetor venturi disposed anterior to said throttle valve; means utilizing pressure variation. at said venturi for moving said piston from its said first position to its said second position; and means for biasing said piston to its said first position and operating to hold said piston in its said first position whenever the engine is idling.

8. In a switch control mechanism; a switch comprising a relatively stationarily mounted conductor switch member, and a conductor spring switch member adapted. to be flexed between two positions in only one of which posi tions said conductor is adapted for movement relative to said stationary switch member into locations of engaging and disengaging relationship with respect to said stationary switch memher to respectively provide closing and opening of said switch; operating means for displacing said spring conductor member between said locations; a piston adapted for movement from a first position of maintaining said spring switch member flexed in its said one position to a second piston position accommodating flexing of said spring switch member into its other position of constant engagement with said stationary switch member when said spring switch member is displaced by said operating means; an engine having an induction system provided with a throttle valve and a carburetor venturi disposed anterior to said throttle valve; means utilizing pressure variation at said venturi for moving said piston from its said first position to its said second position; and means for biasing said piston to its said first position and operating to hold said piston in its said first position whenever the engine is idling.

9. In a switch control mechanism, electric circuit means comprising a switch having a spring conductor adapted to be flexed between two positions in only one of which positions said conductor is adapted for movement for switchopening and switch-closing functions, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, means for adjusting said throttle valve comprising an accelerator pedal movable to a position of approximately effective wide open throttle position and therebeyond to a second position ovcrtravelling said throttle valve in said effective wide open position, means for moving said conductor as aforesaid by said adjusting means in response to movement of said pedal for said overtravel, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at th atmospheric side of said throttle valve for so controlling flexing of said conductor that flexing of said conductor from its said one position to the other, will be automatically effected, during operation of said engine under its own power, in response to adjustment of said throttle valve to its said effective wide open position attended by operation of said engine at a predetermined speed higher than engine idling speed.

10. In a switch control mechanism, electric circuit means comprising a switch having a swinging conductor adapted to be biased between two positions in only one of which positions said swin ing conductor is adapted for reciprocating movement for switch-opening and switch-closing functions, support means for supporting said swinging conductor for swinging movement thereof to each of said positions, means for reciprocating said swinging conductor as aforesaid, a relatively fixed conductor so constructed and arranged in relationship with said, swing ing conductor that when said swinging conductor is in its said one position then operation of said reciprocating means effects make and break contact of said swinging conductor with respect to said fixed conductor and when said swinging conductor is in the other of its said positions then said swinging conductor will not engage said fixed conductor when said swinging conductor is reciprocated by said reciprocating means, an engine having an intake system pro vided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, differential pressure operating means utilizing pressure in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for efiecting swinging of said swinging conductor to its said other position, and means biasing said swinging conductor to its said one position and operating to prevent said differential pressure operating means from effecting said swinging of said swinging conductor to its said other position unless, when the engine is operating at predetermined speed greater than its idling speed, the throttle valve is disposed in predetermined throttle open position.

.11. In a switch control mechanism, a relatively stationarily mounted electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor adapted for movement in a predetermined path for engagement and disengagement with respect to said stationary conductor, means mounting said second conductor for displacement thereof out of said path. an engine having an intake system provided with a carburetor of fuel mixture venturi. and means responsive to pressure variation in said intake system at the throat of said venturi for so controlling said displacement of said second conductor that displacement of said second conductor out of said path will be automatically effected. during operation of said engine under its own power, as a function of eng ne speed higher than engine idling speed.

12. In a switch control mechanism, a relatively stationarily mounted electrical conductor. a second electrical conductor adapted for movement in a predetermined path for engagement and disengagement with respect to said stationary conductor, means mounting said second conductor for displacement thereof out of said path, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, and means utilizing pressure variation in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for so controlling displacement of said second conductor that displacement of said second con ductor out of said path will be automatically effected during normal operation of said engine, in response to predetermined opening of said throttle valve attended by a predetermined engine speed greater than idling speed.

13. In a switch control mechanism, a stationary electrical conductor, a movable electrical conductor adapted for displacement between two positions in each of which said movable conductor is adapted for movement in relatively difierent predetermined paths each generally transverse to the path of said displacement, said movable conductor being so disposed in relation to said stationary conductor that said movable conductor will engage and disengage said stationary conductor only when said movable conduotor is moved in one of said predetermined paths, an actuating element for effecting movement of said movable conductor in said predetermined paths, an engine having an intake system provided with a throttle valve for controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the engine, difierential pressure operating means utilizing pressure in said intake system at the atmospheric side of said throttle valve for efieoting displacement of said movable conductor to one of its said positions, and means biasing said movable conductor to the other of its said positions of displacement.

THOMAS M. BALL. 

